The real-life problem is choosing fast, in the middle of a sentence. Learners often fall back on one word from their own language and use it everywhere: "in Monday", "go to home", "a gift to Mom", "depends of". This review gives you one decision guide, shows how small words stack together, and ends with a 25-item test. In this episode: • The decision guide • Stacking: small words in a row • The test, items 1 to 12 • The test, items 13 to 25 • A scene at the front door • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: Partners — learn them as chunks: depend on, wait for, good at (Episode 136). The cat came out from under the bed. — from, plus the place under the bed We ran out of coffee. — we have no coffee left I'm looking forward to the weekend. — I'm excited about it I'm looking forward to seeing you. — after this to, use a noun or an -ing word Let's wait until after dinner. — until, plus a time phrase Put the boxes up on the shelf. — up shows direction, on shows the surface Come over to our place on Sunday. — visit our home (casual) Season 2 · Real American English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — accent, everyday grammar, prepositions, articles, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.